Starting to have regrets joining Clearsky Accounting!

[Kenny@MyAccountantFriend]

and what do you think of queries being answered by accounts assistants? I sent a query with regards to expenses clarification and it was answered by an accounts assistant. Don't think I'm too happy with that. I do expect my advice to be coming from an accountant.

This would depend on the query asked, however if you have a dedicated accountant and the question was asked directly to them they should respond if able too.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

I think that's the highest monthly fee I've ever heard. I assume they've given you use of a company car for that?

[Debz]

I think that's the highest monthly fee I've ever heard. I assume they've given you use of a company car for that?

Executive
For those clients looking for an inclusive business package, Executive is for you. This is specifically designed to significantly minimise your admin and includes our online bookkeeping service – worth £420 a year. We’ll also include Personal Accident Cover – worth £500 a year.

With our Executive package you will get:
Access to our online portal 24/7
Monthly payroll
Completion of year end PAYE & HMRC submissions including P11D and P60′s
Completion of quarterly VAT returns under the flat rate scheme
Completion of annual return
Completion & submission of full annual statutory accounts and CT600 corporation tax returns
Management of all HMRC correspondence
Free financial services review
Completion of a self assessment tax return including one employment supplementary page
Access to a dedicated Personal Accountant
Unlimited personal support by phone and email
Use of our ClearSky Accounting registered office address
Dividend documentation support
Completion of a self assessment tax return for an additional employee
Completion of quarterly VAT returns on standard rate and cash accounting options
Completion of monthly PAYE for an additional employee
Completion of quarterly management accounts
Unlimited IR35 reviews for each new contract
Issue of additional shares
Assistance with HMRC compliance visits
Completion of standard ClearSky format income and status reference
Professional indemnity insurance – £2m
Employers’ liability – £10m
Public liability – £5m
IR35 fee protection
Guarantee to complete your statutory accounts within 3 months of submission
Guarantee: If your accounts are not completed within 3 months, your next 3 months accountancy services will be free
Annual return filing fee
Completion of monthly management accounts
Quarterly tax advice
Personal accident cover for up to two employees
Electronic bookkeeping service
Company incorporation for only £25 +VAT
Absolute minimum of admin – we do it all for you
First month FREE
For a full comprehensive list of all the services included in our accountancy packages click here.

All prices exclude VAT

This is what is offered within the executive service and I did get the first 3 months free. However as I dont start trading till August they gave me another month free too so four months free but the service is appalling so far.

[Louisa@InTouch]

As Kenny said earlier, it depends on what the query was on expenses.

However all emails should go through your personal accountant, who can then delegate the emails to those with relevant experience.

You'll probably find that a number of the accounts assistant's too are accountants themselves.

But your personal accountant is always the best person to ask and clarify technical questions, plus to guide you through initially with your first couple of months to make sure you are on the right track.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Executive
For those clients looking for an inclusive business package, Executive is for you. This is specifically designed to significantly minimise your admin and includes our online bookkeeping service – worth £420 a year. We’ll also include Personal Accident Cover – worth £500 a year.

With our Executive package you will get:
Access to our online portal 24/7
Monthly payroll
Completion of year end PAYE & HMRC submissions including P11D and P60′s
Completion of quarterly VAT returns under the flat rate scheme
Completion of annual return
Completion & submission of full annual statutory accounts and CT600 corporation tax returns
Management of all HMRC correspondence
Free financial services review
Completion of a self assessment tax return including one employment supplementary page
Access to a dedicated Personal Accountant
Unlimited personal support by phone and email
Use of our ClearSky Accounting registered office address
Dividend documentation support
Completion of a self assessment tax return for an additional employee
Completion of quarterly VAT returns on standard rate and cash accounting options
Completion of monthly PAYE for an additional employee
Completion of quarterly management accounts
Unlimited IR35 reviews for each new contract
Issue of additional shares
Assistance with HMRC compliance visits
Completion of standard ClearSky format income and status reference
Professional indemnity insurance – £2m
Employers’ liability – £10m
Public liability – £5m
IR35 fee protection
Guarantee to complete your statutory accounts within 3 months of submission
Guarantee: If your accounts are not completed within 3 months, your next 3 months accountancy services will be free
Annual return filing fee
Completion of monthly management accounts
Quarterly tax advice
Personal accident cover for up to two employees
Electronic bookkeeping service
Company incorporation for only £25 +VAT
Absolute minimum of admin – we do it all for you
First month FREE
For a full comprehensive list of all the services included in our accountancy packages click here.

All prices exclude VAT

This is what is offered within the executive service and I did get the first 3 months free. However as I dont start trading till August they gave me another month free too so four months free but the service is appalling so far.

Other than the insurance - which is about £40 PCM you could get all that for about £100 PCM.

[Debz]

What a headache. Now need to think about who to inform if I do change accountants. Prob worth the hassle though incase things get worse.

[Waldorf]

Your new accountant will do all that for you, take time to find someone good and then trust them to look after you. You are paying way over the odds, I guess your agency sent you to Clearsky.

Any newbie should ask the accountant what they pay to the agency so that it is transparent if the agency has a vested interest in sending you to a particular accountant.

[northernladuk]

and what do you think of queries being answered by accounts assistants? I sent a query with regards to expenses clarification and it was answered by an accounts assistant. Don't think I'm too happy with that. I do expect my advice to be coming from an accountant.

I don't quite agree with this. Many of the expenses are pretty standard. I mean, look at some of the questions we get asked on here. We can answer most of them and we aren't accountants. There isn't anything you can ask that they haven't been asked before. There is also accountants around for clarification.

I'd also clarify their qualifications. I'm not so sure they are all unqualified assistants. A warning sign possibly but in the main not a real problem.

[Debz]

I don't quite agree with this. Many of the expenses are pretty standard. I mean, look at some of the questions we get asked on here. We can answer most of them and we aren't accountants. There isn't anything you can ask that they haven't been asked before. There is also accountants around for clarification.

I'd also clarify their qualifications. I'm not so sure they are all unqualified assistants. A warning sign possibly but in the main not a real problem.

Maybe the expenses are pretty standard but sometimes you need answers to basic questions too especially newbies like myself. I agree that this forum has been very helpful indeed as experienced contractors who have been doing this a while can offer a wealth of knowledge. However I am neither an accountant or an experienced contractor who has been through it all so for my own sanity and peace of mind I would prefer a dedicated accountant who knows what is going on with my financial affairs. Yes I have been educating myself on what is involved with running a limited company and the responsibilities associated with being a director but combined with starting a new contract as well as relocating for the contract is overwhelming. Having accountants who I can trust is essential so that I am not worrying constantly.

Whether the accounts assistants are qualified or unqualifed, as a first time contractor and going limited for the first time I would definitely feel safer with a one on one service with one person rather than being passed around. I mean I have just been trying to get everything in order in order to start trading and if problems are starting to surface at this point then thinking of what could happen once I start trading makes me feel I am going to have a panic attack!

I'm thinking either Nixon Williams or SJD at this point....although will need to get a better deal this time too!

[Debz]

Your new accountant will do all that for you, take time to find someone good and then trust them to look after you. You are paying way over the odds, I guess your agency sent you to Clearsky.

Any newbie should ask the accountant what they pay to the agency so that it is transparent if the agency has a vested interest in sending you to a particular accountant.

Who are you with Waldorf?

I was actually with Parasol for a while and Clearsky is Parasols sister company so I reguarly received constant sales calls to tell me that I was losing money staying umbrella etc etc.